November 22, 2024
Is Jet Linx Aviation the next Wheels Up or Vista Global? Jet Linx is signaling it plans to increase its M&A activity with two new leadership appointments.
The Omaha-based provider appointed Paul Kloet as director of mergers & acquisitions. It also promoted Jason Vanis to senior vice president of integrations. Both are new positions.
According to a press release, Kloet “is responsible for managing and leading all facets of M&A opportunities, including identifying Part 135 acquisition opportunities and value-added ventures, optimizing integration priorities, and developing integration strategy.”
“Jet Linx has witnessed exponential growth in recent years, and we are excited for Paul and Jason to lead us into our next phase of expansion through the acquisition of select Part 135 operators in both existing markets we already serve and new markets we have slated to open,” says Jet Linx CEO Jamie Walker.
He adds, “Paul brings to Jet Linx an impressive skillset and deep experience in leading M&A transactions that will undoubtedly advance our growth strategy and allow us to accomplish our business objectives through strategic ventures and acquisitions. Jason, who has been an integral part of the Jet Linx team for almost two decades, is intimately familiar with our brand and operations, which makes him the perfect person to facilitate our post-acquisition integration activity.”
Kloet previously served as CFO of Chicago-based BIG Construction. He also held senior leadership roles at influential companies at UBER, Victory Park Capital, Goldman Sachs, and Bank of America Merrill Lynch.
Jet Linx is set to open its 20th base location this Fall at Opa Locka Executive Airport in Miami. In recent years it expanded to Austin, Boston, Chicago, Minneapolis, and New York. The latter pair were driven by acquiring management contracts and charter books from Elliott Aviation and Meridien Aviation.
Jet Linx is the sixth-largest operator in North America measured by fractional share and charter hours. In addition to managing aircraft for owners, it sells jet cards to users within 175 miles of its base locations.
At those locations, it operates private terminals for the exclusive use of its owners and jet card members. The terminal provides an elevated level of service, with an open bar and valet parking. Upon return, your car is returned, detailed, and ready to go, air conditioning in the summer, heated in the winter.
Earlier this year, Jet Linx also launched an alternative ownership program, filling the gap between fractional programs and full private jet ownership.
Miami’s opening will give Jet Linx a base in 13 of the 25 busiest U.S. private jet airports. It has previously said it wants to expand to Southern California. That could mean bases at Van Nuys and Orange County, two of the 12 busiest private jet airports.
In the past three years, Wheels Up and Vista Global made the biggest news in business aviation M&A activity. Wheels Up acquired Part 135 operators Gama Aviation Signature, Delta Private Jets, Mountain Aviation, and TMC Jets. Vista Global snapped up stakes in XOJET, Red Wing Aviation, and Talon Air.
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